Pender hoping for successful season

Team: Pender

Mascot: Pendragons

Colors: Red and White

Class: D-1

Head Coach: Andy Welsh

2014 record: 2-6

Returning Starters: 5 offense 6 defense


Overview:

The Pender Pendragons have plenty to look forward to and be excited about in 2015 as they return a lot of their team that went 2-6 a season ago.

Senior Devin Soll, an all-district player and all-state candidate, returns on the offensive line for Pender. He will get some help up front from senior tight end Kolton Lehmkuhl.

Junior Dylan Roth returns as the team's starting quarterback after passing for 556 yards and seven touchdowns a season ago.

The Pendragons return plenty of talent in the offensive backfield as three running backs are back. Seniors Lorenzo Duenas and Shay Messerlie return as does junior James Benson.

Duenas rushed for 515 yards and five touchdowns last season while Messerlie ran for 308 yards and four touchdowns. Benson had 250 yards on the ground in 2014 along with seven scores.

Soll (49 tackles, 10 TFL) and Messerlie (28 tackles, 14 TFL, 2 FR) will be tough on the defensive line. Roth is back as Pender's safety.

The Pendragons should be strong at the linebacker position as Lehmkuhl (50 tackles, 5 TFL), Benson (40 tackles), and Duenas (18 tackles) are all back.

Benson is back as Pender's punter.

I look for the Pendragons to be very competitive this year. Pender was competitive in five of their eight games last year, and I look for the Pendragons to turn the corner this year and win four or five games.

I could even see Pender making the playoffs if they do enough. The Pendragons certainly have enough returning experience to reach the postseason.

Pender should be stout at the quarterback and running back positions. The offensive line should also be solid as should the defensive line and linebacker positions on defense.

The secondary and wide receiver corps could be a bit of a question mark for the Pendragons. Pender could struggle against teams that are pass heavy, but should be good against teams that run a lot.

The Pendragons have to be very physical up front, and win the battle at the line of scrimmage.

Stopping the run and getting the run game going will be very important for Pender week in and week out. The Pendragons also have to win the turnover battle to be successful this season.

Certain things have to go Pender's way if they are to be good and reach the playoffs this year, but the Pendragons are certainly capable of having a season to remember.

Pender had success in legion baseball, but hasn't had success in football or basketball in quite a while. Having success this football season would be a huge step in the right direction for boys sports at Pender.

The biggest thing for Pendragons is going out and having fun. Football should be fun. Pender has to play loose week in and week out.

The more the Pendragons can execute their offensive and defensive game plans, the better off they will be.

There may be some pressure packed moments for Pender this season so their ability to remain calm in close, tight ball games will be critical to their success.

It will be interesting to see if the Pendragons can have success this year given all the experience they bring back.


Season Outlook:

The Pender Pendragons have to be optimistic about 2015. Pender appears to have the pieces in place to make a run at the playoffs, and find success this season.

Guardian Angels Central Catholic, Creighton, Scribner-Snyder, and Bloomfield will all be tough for the Pendragons to beat, but if Pender can take care of business in all their other games they should put themselves in a position to make the playoffs.

The Pendragons are certainly capable of beating anyone they play, and could pull off an upset this season, but it's not going to be an easy ride for Pender.

The Pendragons will be challenged by the four teams listed above, and the rest of their schedule, including Wakefield, will be no cakewalk.

Winnebago and Omaha Nation will no doubt want revenge from last year after Pender beat them so Pender has to be ready to go in those games as well.

The Pendragons have a somewhat difficult district with GACC and Scribner-Snyder in there, but Pender should do no worse than third in District D1-2.

The ultimate goal for the Pendragons this season has to be make the playoffs. It would be quite an accomplishment for Pender to make the postseason should they do enough to get in.

The Pendragons have to take things one game at a time and can't get caught looking ahead, but as long as Pender stays focused throughout the season, they should have a chance to be competitive in every game they play in.

The Pendragons can't back down from anyone, and can't be scared of any of their opponents. Pender has to play tough, hard nosed, smashmouth football all season long, and continue to fight and battle no matter what happens.

The Pendragons have to play hard all season long. At no point can Pender afford to give up. The Pendragons have to give 100% effort on everything they do.

If Pender controls what they can control, limits turnovers, creates turnovers, and plays optimistic football all season long, they should have a chance to make the playoffs.

The Pendragons have a chance to turn things around in 2015.


2015 Pender Pendragons Football Schedule:

09/04/15	Plainview	D1
09/11/15	@ Creighton	D1
09/18/15	Bloomfield	D1
09/24/15	Winnebago	D1
10/02/15	@ Omaha Nation	D1
10/09/15	Guardian Angels Central Catholic	D1
10/16/15	@ Scribner-Snyder	D1
10/23/15	@ Wakefield	D1